Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 37, Number 247, 21 August 1912 — Page 8

PAGE EIGHT. THE SICUMUICO PALLADIUM AND SUN-TELEGRAM, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21,

if-

SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT

Was That of a Summer Stock Company Here Which Played to Crowded Houses Almost Three Months. Due to Intelligent and Talented Actors.

BY ESTHER GRIFFIN WHITE. An interesting theatrical experiment was made here this summer. A stock company was put on in the vaudeville house at the same prices, namely ten and twenty cents, to see how long it would be patronized. That this met with extraordinary success is known to the people of the town. Since the paucity of entertainment here causes everyone to drift into the Murray in the course of things. Although the company catered to the alleged ten tnd twenty cent clientele "alleged" because while this is supposed to be distinctly low brow in Richmond, the raging art center, highbrows, or at least those who might masquerade under such appellation, were not at all unnumerous or infrequent in these audiences it put on good plays and had In its caste several excellent actors. By "good" is meant not ten-twenty cent "good," but "good" under any theatric circumstance. But the long run of this company almost three months was significant chiefly because it demonstrated the hold straight theatrics has on the average public. It is, and will always remain so, the truth that "the play's the thing." Not in its ordinary acceptation. That is, that the play not the actor is the meat of a dramatic performance. But the greater one, which, being interpreted, means that the play is the form of dramatic entertainment which has the widest and most direct appeal. This is more or less easily explained by the love of everyone for the spectacle of a reflection of life. "The passion for acting" is almost universal. And that is the reason that, given certain conditions, a theatrical company can run almost indefinitely. For, as animadverted upon here at sundry times and for various reasons, you may see as good acting in theatrics of this character as in those "higher up." For it takes a versatility many a "type" actor does not possess to learn two roles each week and interpret them successfully, which means intelligently, if not brilliantly. During their stay here the members of the Lewis company were put through their theatric paces. For two plays a week for twelve weeks makes twenty-four roles for each, and, in some instances, these people doubled and even tripled their roles, in one case, that of Mr. Coyle, who played three parts in one play, doing so with amazing verisimilitude.

The truth Is that If one cared to make a study of stage art, or what is so termed, they might do so with some profit to themselves by an attendance on continuous presentations of this sort. "Type" in dramatic art nowadays is considered to the exclusion of versatility and therefore we have very fewactors or actresses of what is called note who are at all convincing save in some character fitted to their personality. Instead of adapting the personality to the impersonation depicted, the process is reversed. So that some celebrities could not possibly stand the severe discipline of the Btock company, even that in Richmond, Indiana. It is to be doubted, indeed, if any "general purpose" actor could be found in the support of even leading stars who could exceed Mr. Jack Carrington of the Lewis Players in adaptability and finesse in the interpretation of roles which embodied almost every phase of the emotional scale. Mr. Carrington possessed genuine humour and a gift of burlesque that might be envied by more celebrated comedians. On the other hand he could, on occasion, hit an emotional high spot with precision and effect, as in "Camille." An actor who could impersonate with positive verisimilitude the character of the drunken old Irishman in a certain play called "Woman Against Woman" and which was, of itself, a crass thing with as exquisite an appreciation of this role's humours, and could also play "Armand" in "Camille" with as much romantic appeal, must be made of some good theatric stuff. And between these two extremes interpret a variety of roles, both telling and insignificant, with the skill with which this actor invariably lent to any impersonation, either strong or banal. Mr. Carrington, in short, was an intelligent, versatile, attractive and skillful actor, and would be so at any time and on any stage, and his return to this city would be heralded with pleasure. The part of a villain is not a pleasant one to play. That is in so far as the color of the response from the audience is concerned. Mr. Edwin Wolcott, an excellent actor whose interpretations were based on sound theatric tradition and precedent, therefore, did not elicit from his auditors those indications of appreciation which are an actor's supposed impetus toward accomplishment. But, in truth, the better a character

of this sort 1b interpreted the more detestable does its medium become, so that an actor finds himself in the anomalous position of being damned in direct ratio to his merits. In a company of this sort one actor generally plays what are termed in stage parlance "the heavies." And this fell to the lot of Mr. Wolcott. Naturally in the playing down that most companies do, or think they must do, and Indeed, really have to do at times, to their audiences, they must do violence to their own theatric ideals and their knowledge of Its more occult practices. So given the most favorable conditions, thespians who appear to a disadvantage because of these considerations may measure up to a degree of dramatic altitude unbelievable. Mr. Lewis who appeared here a few weeks earlier in the summer and again later, playing in the meantime, with his other company in Columbus, Ohio, with much success, has certain pronounced dramatic values. Essentially a light comedian, Mr. Lewis was invariably effective in romantic roles which he interpreted with much deftness and appeal, having a voice of peculiar carrying quality and of singular timbre. This actor, in short, possessed what might be termed a temperamental voice. And a stage finesse which carried conviction in its lower and middle artistic registers, if it could so be put, rather than in its higher. Mr. Lewis is, indeed, an actor of definite, if not exactly placeable, talents and gives a tang to his presentations because of their uncertainty of interpretation. Of Miss Mabel and Miss Flora Frost much has been said here. But too much emphasis cannot be placed on the value of personality in the theatric art of these two very Mne young women.That they were capable, intelligent

and charming actresses could not be j

gainsayed. But neither could it be denied that their special individual qualities did not dignify their art. Rare, indeed, do you find this combination and its value to stage art and life is incalculable. The Lewis Players, in short, have given this city much pleasure and entertainment throughout the summer and their departure is regretted by all classes.

i7 TESTED THE ANTS. Experiments That Soem to Prove the Insects Have Memory. Experiments are continually being made to test the memory of animals, such as the elephant, the dog, the bull, but it would seem a thankless undertaking to ascertain whether the ant has a memory. Nevertheless a scientist ia South America thinks he has succeeded. Isolating two of the largest specimens of tropical ants he could find, he bo arranged their receptacle that they could get no food without climbing over a circular slant into another compartment. Over this slant when the food was not there he placed a crimsou cord, and the ants very soon learned to interpret the signal and never attempted to climb over it. Thinking after a time that there might be something in the color that repelled them automatically, as the bull is affected unpleasantly by red, he replaced the red cord by cords of varying colors, always with the same result after the ants had made a few excursions over the slant and come back hungry. Then he tried plain cloth and eTen paper, but the result was invariably the same. After a number of trials the ants refused to climb tbs slant when there was any sort of "signal." Finally the scientist reversed the signal, having food beyond the slant only when it was visible, and after an infinite number of trials the ants accommodated themselves to the change. Harper's Weekly.

LABOUCHERE'S COPY.

THE VANISHING SEA COW. A Marine Curiosity That Is Rapidly N earing Extinction. One of the largest fish that has inhabited the waters of the gulf of Mex

ico and the south Atlantic coast of I this country aud which is almost ex-!

Uuct is known as the manatee. It was found in great numbers a century ago. and even a few years back this creature was quite plentiful in certain localities. It is very gentle for a large fish and easily captured in heavy nets, which are usually stretched across the mouths of rivers emptying into the south Atlantic or the gulf of Mexico. The flesh is very delicious and brings a high price, having a strong resemblance to the very finest veal. The skeleton ia valued at $100. and the skin if removed properly and cared for by those who understand its properties will bring a like amount. This fish is often from ten to twelve feet in length and weighs about 2.O00 pounds. It is so gentle it will not strike the light craft that happens to be near it. and when captured it 6hows no resistance whatever. It is safe to say that in the next quarter of a century this creature will become extinct unless specimens are preserved simply to prevent the complete loss of one of our most wonderful sea creatures. It lives wholly on salt water vegetation and growth found in the mouths of the rivers emptying into the sea. New York World.

Three Manifestations. "You may give three important illustrations of the power of the rress. says the teacher to the class. The pupil who had not hitherto particularly distinguished himself was the first to reply: "Cider, courtship and politics.' Judge's Library.

Wasted Effort. "I don't like the way they reported my speech." complained the new congressman. "Why. they sprinkled in plenty of laughter ami applause." "Yes. but how about all them gestures?" Pittsburgh Post.

A Question of Title. "After another season." said Fanner CorntosseU "I guess well have chef." "What's a chef? asked his wife. "A chef to a man with a big enough vocabulary to giTe the soup a different name every day." Washington Star.

A Subsidy. "I see so much in the newspaper about subsidies. What does a subsidy mean. Frank?" "A subsidy. Grace. Is where 1 givo you $C5 for golnp to see your mother Instead of having her come to see you." Judge

Bunkoed. "nans." said Gottlieb as they reach- j ed a pause in the conversation, "dit you efer puy a golt brick?" "Nein. nein!" replied Gottlieb. "I i refer puyed a golt brick, but once I puyed vat I t'ought vas one." Every- J

Doay s.

If we did but know how little some enjoy the great things that they possess there would not be much envy in the world.

FACE COVERED

fflH

Permanent Boarder. Doris was radiant over a recent addition to the family and rushed out of the house to tell the news to a passing neighbor. "Oh, you don't know what we've got upstairs!" "What is it?" "It's a new baby brother!" And she settled back upon her heels and folded her hands to watch the effect. "You don't say so! Is he going to stay ?" "I guess so." very thoughtfully. "He's got his things off." Everybody's.

After it Was Finished He Lost All Interest In Its Fate. It was a matter of absolute indifference to Labouchere what became of anything he wrote after he had written it. When he had corrected the proof or If he was away from England when he sent his copy tp the post he took no further Interest in it whatever. Before I had discovered this trait in his character I used to write and apologize for cutting, perhaps six columns down to two, or sometimes offer an excuse for not using any of it at all. At last he wrote to me: "You need not sentimentalize about my stuff. I send it to you to do what you like with." But one felt a lingering compunction long afterward about consigning the M . - 0 U 1 l.. 4. I. A nonets.

nulls ui BJ uiui.il l.iuui iu uc waoicj

paper basket, and, after all, Labouchere was the proprietor of the paper. Once or twice, therefore, I have excused myself for "not sentimentalizing" about some article that he had sent. One such occasion he writes: "Dear

: I am the only person, 1 believe, j on the press who does not care in the j

least whether his lucubrations do or do not appear in print. It has always appeared ta me that the making of an art (article) requires two persons, one to write it, the other to cut it down, and generally to cut out what the first man most admires." London Truth.

The Spoil of London. The greatest of modern French poets. Paul Verlalne. fell instantly under the spell of London, even though he came to it as an exile to earn a wretched living as a teacher of French. "As a whole." he wrote. "It is very unexpected and a hundred times more amusing than Italy or Paris or the banks of the Rhine." And again: "The docks are wonderful Carthage. Tyre, all rolled into one." lie deplored the lack of clean cafes, but nevertheless. "No matter, this incredible town is very well, black as a crow and noisy as a duck." In Verlaine's view London had no monuments except the docks. He ignored Westminster, the Tower and all the sights. For him they do not seem to have existed. London Chronicle.

Uncle Sam's Public Printer. The United States public printer has charge of all busiuess relating to the public printing and bindiug. He appoints the officers and employees of the government printing office and purchases all necessary machinery and

material The foreman of printing hat charge of all matter which is to be

printed. The following are the official

heads of the several departments: Public printer, secretary to the public printer, attorney, deputy public printer. Congressional Record clerk, superintendent of work and superintendent of documents.

Red and Irritated. Pimples Festered. Itched and Burned. Used Cuticura Soap and Ointment About 3 Weeks. Was Completely Cured. 1613 Dayton St.. ChicaRO. 111. "My face was very red and Irritated and was covered with pimple. The pimples festered and came to a head. They Itched and burned and when I scratched them became sore. 1 tried soaps and they would not stop the Itching and burning of the skin. This lasted for a month or more. At last I tried Cuticura Ointment and Soap. They took out the burning and Itching of the skin soothing it very much and giving the relief that the others failed to give me. I used the Cuticura Soap and Ointment about three weeks and was completely cured." (Signed) Misa Clara Mueller. Mar. 16. 1912.

Russian state forests cover 587,000,000 acres.

BURNING AND ITCHING Day and Night Errrmn in Form of Rath. Moorcs nni. Ind. "My little daughter had a burning and Itching sensation day and night. The eczema was in the form of a rash. It began Bret in patches on her face and under her arms, and then on her hands. We were very much alarmed about her as it was spreading so rapidly. We used Cuticura Soap and Ointment about one month and they cured my little daughter of eczema. Her skin is as smooth as could be and she Is in fine health." (Signed) Mrs. Lizzie Koof. Jan. 27. 1912. Cuticura Soap and Cuticura Ointment are sold throughout the world. Liberal sample of each mailed free, with 32-p. Skin Book. Address post-card "Cuticura. Dept.T; Boston." -Tender-faced men should use Cuticura Soap Shaving Stick, 25c. Sample tree.

A Good

During Chautauqua, to have your glasses changed and fitted correctly to your eyes. We make a specialty of fitting the celebrated KRYPTOK Invisible Bifocal Lenses. Call and see us and we will show you samples of same.

HANER, the Jeweler 810 MAIN STREET F. H. EDMUNDS, Optometrist.

ONE VISIT To "The Greeks" now will bring you back again and again, all summer long. THERE ARE MANY REASONS. The service ia unusually fin. The Sodas, Cream, Drinks, Etc., are exclusively Mour" quality. The room Is cozy, cool and comfortable. The music adds charms to the pleasure of being here. Bring Your Friends. Greek Candy Store

d n m ki

15)

KIT

ITU

PEIKIS

August 23

Lectures

Political Talks

Sermons

Music

Outdoor Plays

Concerts (Magic and (Mirth

LS(ES Sept. K

11, TO siifimp!?

C3ll

-FRIDAY-

john GUNCKLE The World's Greatest Worker with Boys. (Afternoon) ADAM BEDE, Congressman from Minnesota (Night)

INSTITUTE LECTURES Begin Monday, Aug. 26 Close Friday

SATURDAY-

OUTDOOR PLAYS CAMBRIDGE PLAYERS (Afternoon) NOAH BEKHARZ HUMORIST. (Night)

WEDNESDAY BURBANK Trie World's Greatest Farmer. (Afternoon) JOHN MITCHELL (Night)

SUNDAY-

GOVERNOR SHALLENBERG Of Nebraska. (Afternoon) REV. FATHER GRAHAM (Night)

MONDAY AMERICA'S GREAT HEALTH LECTURES DR. SADLER COMPANY (Afternoon) "THE SIGN OF THE CROSS" (Night)

TUESDAY ADRIAN NEWENS -A MESSAGE FROM MARS" (Afternoon) VIRGINIA BROOKS Of West Hammond. (Night)

THURSDAY-

ROBERT PARKER MILES (Afternoon) SHAKESPEAREAN PLAY (Night)

FRIDAY-

GABRIEL MAGUIRE (Afternoon) DUNBAR BELL RINGERS BENJ. CHAPIN (Night)

SATURDAY DUN BARS (Afternoon) BRUSH, MAGICIAN (Night)

SUNDAY-

GOVERNOR GLENN (Afternoon) MADAM MOUNTFORD (Night.)

11 ilnlHiy

TICKETS

U D